ProDUCER PARTNERs
Changing lives through fair trade
True Origin work with a network of smallholder farmers to support them as they develop their businesses and to keep them motivated with a promise of good markets for their produce. We work with fair trade supporters in the UK to ensure that as farmers in developing countries increase their volumes there will be a growing market in the UK for their produce.
For more detailed information on our producers please read below or visit their websites.
For more detailed information on our producers please read below or visit their websites.
KASFA
KASFA, a WFTO member, is an association of smallholder rice farmers who grow our award winning Kilombero rice in and around Karonga in Northern Malawi, affectionately known as the warm heart of Africa.
KASFA work in conjunction with NASFAM, the largest independent, smallholder-owned membership organization in Malawi, to facilitate the import of rice to the UK. NASFAM also provides training, reasonably priced farm inputs and a fair price for their products to its members. Most of its members have some 4 acres, work their land with only a hoe as a tool and have no secondary education.
The rich alluvial soils and the traditional farming methods are kind to the environment and ensures a superior aromatic rice. It has the been awarded the Ethical Consumer's 'Best Buy' for rice and has a Great Taste award assuring its good provenance and delicious taste.
Buying their wonderful Kilombero rice at a fair and stable price provides the farmers with a sustainable income that is reinvested in their farms, providing better food security and the means to support and pay for their children's education.
To read more about the benefits to the rice farmers of buying Kilombero rice, please click here.
Eswatini Kitchen
Eswatini Swazi Kitchen are based in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) in Southern Africa. It is run by
Carlos and Sonia Paiva, with the aim of creating employment for disadvantaged communities and supporting smallholder farmers and women from impoverished backgrounds. Over 90% of Eswatini Kitchen staff are women, with many of them being single mothers whose financial and social freedom has been positively impacted through the organisation.
Sonia is also involved in promoting and developing farming amongst women and young people through the Woman Farmer Foundation. The Foundation hosts the Woman Farmer Competition which ensures that the women who take part in the competition grow their business acumen, are aware of their rights and capabilities, get all the necessary assistance they need in order to thrive in the business world, and that they then pass their knowledge, experience and training onto others. So far, hundreds of women and young people in Swaziland have been empowered through this project.
Eswatini are Guaranteed Suppliers of WFTO
Turqle Trading
Pieter Swart and Rain Morgan are the founders of Turqle Trading. Their aim was to build a food trading company with a conscience and transparent accountability that would support and encourage growth at both their suppliers and their customers. They are passionate about empowering disadvantaged communities by supporting education, raising awareness of gender based violence, and developing their workforce and sound environmental policies.
Turqle Trading supply two brands for JTS: Ukuva iAfrica and Cape Treasures from Cape Town, South Africa.
Ukuva is the ’sense’ or ‘awareness’ of Africa that resonates in all of us… It is about our higher ideals - “I am, because we are”, People are people because of other people” (or Ubuntu). It is about warmth and friendliness and wholesome flavour. It is about trying to do the right things right, it is about the very heart of fairness in trade. And finally, Ukuva is about flavour adventures -ready to find those who want to be found... ”
Turqle Trading are Guaranteed Suppliers of WFTO
Barrett’s Ridge is a proudly South African business who produce some of the world’s leading beer bread mixes with the belief that there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread.
Giving Back with Barrett’s Ridge…
The great thing about bread is that it’s meant to be shared between family, friends and the community. Each Barrett’s Ridge bag is created by the wonderful ladies of the Ukama Community Foundation. These are ladies that are unable to leave the house due to disabilities or family responsibilities. We deliver all supplies and do collections. Barrett's Ridge, via the Foundation, feed up to 400 children a day by delivering food parcels to the informal day cares and creches. In addition, they help to run 10 soup kitchens that have been set up in various local communities
Meru Herbs
Meru Herbs was formed in 1991 to market the produce of local farmers, which included an assortment of herbal teas, then jams from locally found tropical fruits and finally, tomato-based sauces. One of the key achievements of Meru Herbs is female empowerment and women actually make up the largest percentage of Meru employees.
They are greatly invested in alleviating the challenges faced by small scale farmers such as climate change, pest and diseases control, and outdated technology by providing training and best farming practises.
Meru Herbs is a woman led organisation in rural Kenya and is dedicated to fair trade principles with a mission to empower women, alleviate poverty, improve standards of living. Meru Herbs gives small holder farmers the opportunity to sell their produce and improve their income by supplying directly to Meru and opening up global markets. Up to 100 local women are employed to prepare fruits and herbs and make the most amazing ‘all natural’ sauces and jams.